updated 05:15 pm EDT, Fri October 29, 2010

BT to start six-month Wi-Fi trial in London tube

UK provider BT has announced it will hold Wi-Fi trials at the Charing Cross underground subway station in London, the BBCreported on Friday. The six-month technical test will be free for BT broadband customers and those with free Wi-Fi minutes at the ticket hall, Bakerloo and Northern line platform. The trial will kick off on November 1.

The undertaking, dubbed as Project Wi-Fi, has the backing of more than half of London's councils. Mayor of London Boris Johnson is a big proponent as well, and he wants to see lamp and bus stops with Wi-Fi. Johnson wants to improve London's already wide 95 percent Wi-Fi coverage by the time the 2012 Olympics begin.

The scheme is important, as it makes public transit much more appealing to commuters that are increasingly bringing smartphones and other Wi-Fi capable devices on their trips. [image via Chris McKenna]